Photon Digital Data Channel; Using The Digital Data Channel - FLIR Photon Block 2 User Manual

Photon User Guide 412-0035-00-10 Version 100

8 PHOTON DIGITAL DATA CHANNEL

Photon provides a digital data channel that provides thermal imagery in digital format. This
channel can be used in conjunction with commercially-available digital frame grabbers, digital
displays, or custom receive electronics. Again, for Photon users with embedded or specialty
applications that require custom control software, a Software Developer's Kit (SDK) and an
Interface Control Document (ICD) are available to support your development efforts.
The digital data channel can be configured to output 14-bit data after application of calibration
terms. This mode is most useful for external signal-processing and/or analysis of the camera
output. The digital channel can also be configured to provide 8-bit data after application of
video processing algorithms (e.g. "automatic", white-hot/black-hot polarity, image orientation,
DDE filtered, and on-screen symbols). The 8-bit data is essentially a digital version of the video
stream provided on the analog video channel and is therefore more appropriate than the 14-bit
data for interfacing to a digital display.
The digital data channel employs serial low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS). The channel
consists of three signal lines – a clock, a composite sync (frame sync and line sync), and serial
data. A serial-in-parallel-out (SIPO) module is available from FLIR Systems for converting the
serial data to 14-bit parallel LVDS output (plus frame sync, line sync, and pixel clock). The
parallel data can be captured using a frame-grabber board installed in a PC. Two commercial
frame grabbers are currently supported: Bitflow Road Runner PCI 12 and National Instruments
PCI-1422. Cabling and software configuration files for either frame grabber are available from
Indigo Systems.
Indigo also offers an optional digital data converters such as the Ethernet Module. The Ethernet
Module connects the Photon digital output directly to a LAN using standard CAT-5 LAN cable.
Using either the Ethernet Module allows for digital output and camera control via the Photon
SDK software directly to a PC.
For users intending to interface directly to the camera's serial digital data channel, detailed
timing and format information is provided in the ICD (ISC doc. 102.1238.41). Information on
the timing and data format of the parallel output is also provided in separate ICD specific to the
SIPO module (ISC doc. 333.0008.19). Please contact FLIR Systems Customer Support to
request either of these documents.

Using the Digital Data Channel

Note: The following instructions assume that you have purchased the optional serial-to-parallel-
out (SIPO) accessory module with parallel data cable. If you are using the Ethernet module,
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